Todd Monken's Run Game Neglect Angers the Baltimore Ravens Fans

For Baltimore Ravens fans, a commitment to the run game has long been part of the team’s identity—from Ray Rice to Justin Forsett, and now Derrick Henry, the Ravens have built winning seasons around a physical, dominant ground attack. So when offensive coordinator Todd Monken began sidelining the run game in key moments this season, frustration among fans boiled over. What started as quiet grumbles on social media has turned into vocal criticism, with fans booing playcalls at M&T Bank Stadium and launching petitions urging Monken to prioritize the run. Todd Monken's Run Game Neglect Angers the Baltimore Ravens Fans examines the specific moments that sparked the outrage, why the run game matters so much to Ravens culture, and how Monken’s decisions have put the team’s playoff hopes at risk.

The anger first erupted during the Ravens’ Week 10 loss to the Cleveland Browns, a game where Monken’s playcalling ignored a dominant run game in favor of risky passing plays. With Henry rushing for 112 yards on just 15 carries (a 7.5-yard average) in the first three quarters, fans expected the Ravens to lean on him to close out the game. Instead, Monken called 12 straight passing plays in the fourth quarter—including a fourth-and-3 pass that fell incomplete, turning the ball over to the Browns and sealing the loss. “It was incomprehensible,” said a lifelong Ravens fan who runs the Twitter account @RavensRunFirst. “We had Derrick Henry rolling, the offensive line was dominating, and Monken decided to throw it away. That’s not just bad playcalling—it’s disrespecting the team’s identity.” The frustration grew in Week 12, when Monken called only 18 running plays in a 27-17 loss to the Bengals, even though Henry averaged 5.2 yards per carry. Post-game interviews with fans revealed a common sentiment: Monken’s refusal to use the run game was wasting Henry’s talent and costing the team wins. Todd Monken's Run Game Neglect Angers the Baltimore Ravens Fans emphasizes that these losses weren’t just about bad luck—they were about a playcaller ignoring the team’s greatest strength.

Fans’ anger has only intensified as Monken has doubled down on his pass-heavy approach, even in games where the run game is clearly working. A prime example came in the Ravens’ Week 14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars: Henry rushed for 98 yards on 12 carries in the first half, but Monken cut his carries to just 4 in the second half, instead having Lamar Jackson throw 21 times. While the Ravens won, fans took to social media to express their frustration, with #MonkenMustRun trending on Twitter in Baltimore. “We won despite the playcalling, not because of it,” one fan tweeted. “Imagine how much easier that game would’ve been if we’d kept feeding Henry instead of making Lamar force passes.” Fans have also pointed out the inconsistency in Monken’s approach: in games where the run game struggles, he abandons it quickly, but even when it succeeds, he shifts focus to passing. This unpredictability has made it hard for the offense to find rhythm, with Jackson and Henry both admitting in post-game pressers that the inconsistent playcalling has been “a challenge.” Todd Monken's Run Game Neglect Angers the Baltimore Ravens Fans highlights that fans aren’t just upset about losses—they’re upset about seeing the team’s iconic run-first identity erased by a coordinator who seems to prioritize his own system over the team’s strengths.

The Baltimore Ravens’ run game isn’t just a 战术 choice—it’s a cultural one, which is why fans are so passionate about Monken’s neglect. For decades, the Ravens have been known as a physical, ground-and-pound team, a style that resonates with Baltimore’s blue-collar identity. Henry, a Baltimore native, embodies that style—his bruising runs and ability to wear down defenses are a throwback to the Ravens’ glory days. When Monken ignores Henry, fans feel like he’s ignoring the team’s history and the values that make the Ravens unique. “This isn’t just about football—it’s about who we are,” said a fan who has attended Ravens games since 1996. “The Ravens don’t win with fancy passing plays; we win by running the ball down your throat, wearing you out, and then finishing you off. Monken doesn’t get that.” The Baltimore Ravens’ front office has taken notice of the fan outrage, with team president Sashi Brown acknowledging in a recent interview that “the run game is an important part of our identity” and that the team is “working with the coaching staff to ensure we’re utilizing all our strengths.” For the Baltimore Ravens, the fan anger is a reminder that the team’s success isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about staying true to the culture that has bonded the team and its fans for decades. Todd Monken's Run Game Neglect Angers the Baltimore Ravens Fans shows that the Baltimore Ravens’ fans are fighting not just for better playcalling, but for the soul of their team.

Another reason fans are so angry about Monken’s run game neglect is the impact it’s having on Lamar Jackson’s performance. Jackson, a dual-threat quarterback, thrives when the run game is working—opposing defenses can’t focus solely on stopping him if they have to account for Henry. But when Monken abandons the run, defenses stack the box with extra linebackers and defensive backs, forcing Jackson to throw into tight coverage. This has led to more interceptions (Jackson has thrown 14 this season, a career high) and more hits on the quarterback (he’s been sacked 38 times, the most since 2020). “Monken is putting Lamar in impossible positions,” said a former NFL offensive lineman who played for the Ravens. “When you don’t run the ball, defenses don’t have to respect anything else. Lamar can’t do it all by himself—he needs the run game to open things up.” Fans have also expressed concern about Jackson’s health, noting that more passing plays mean more opportunities for him to get injured. “We’ve seen Lamar get hurt when he’s forced to scramble because there’s no run game,” one fan said. “Monken isn’t just hurting the offense—he’s putting our franchise quarterback at risk.” For the Baltimore Ravens, protecting Jackson should be a top priority, and fans believe that prioritizing the run game is the best way to do that. Todd Monken's Run Game Neglect Angers the Baltimore Ravens Fans underscores that the Baltimore Ravens’ fans see Monken’s playcalling as a threat to both Jackson’s performance and his long-term health.

Finally, fans are angry because Monken’s run game neglect is hurting the Baltimore Ravens’ playoff chances. With just three games left in the regular season, the Ravens are on the bubble of the AFC wild-card race, and every win matters. Fans argue that a consistent run game would make the offense more reliable in close games, reducing the pressure on Jackson to win with his arm. “In playoff football, you need to be able to run the ball to control the clock and keep the other team’s offense off the field,” said a local sports analyst. “Monken’s pass-heavy approach might work in regular-season games against bad teams, but it won’t work in the playoffs against elite defenses.” Fans have pointed to the Ravens’ 2019 Super Bowl run, where they relied heavily on Jackson’s running and Mark Ingram’s ground game to win three playoff games. “That team won because they played Ravens football,” one fan said. “If we try to play Monken’s football in the playoffs, we’ll be one-and-done.” The Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff has defended Monken’s playcalling, with head coach John Harbaugh saying that “we’re doing what we think is best to win games.” But fans aren’t buying it—they want to see the run game back at the center of the offense, and they want it now. Todd Monken's Run Game Neglect Angers the Baltimore Ravens Fans concludes that the Baltimore Ravens’ fans are angry because they see Monken’s decisions as a betrayal of the team’s identity and a threat to its playoff hopes. Until Monken prioritizes the run game again, the frustration is only going to grow—leaving the Ravens with a divided fan base and an offense that’s not living up to its potential.